Sidewalk and Walkway

Repair and Installation

Damaged or cracked walkways and sidewalks are usually cut out
and removed. The ground is then re-graded to insure the
correct gradients and wooden forms are installed to contain the new
concrete.

Then
the reinforcing steel is installed in a checkerboard design, usually
at 2 ft intervals. The steel is placed on plastic or steel chairs
that keep them about 1.5” off the ground. Standard concrete with a
3000 PSI compressive strength @ 28 days is then poured, normally at
a 4 inch thickness.

The final surface finish of the concrete is the
standard, slip-resistant, “Broom Finish”. The new concrete may be
tied into existing, surrounding concrete by drilling steel “dowels”
into the existing concrete. This is a not always recommended
particularly with aged or old concrete. Expansion joints are
normally installed at varying distances depending on the size of the
project. This allows for some expansion and contraction of the
walkway or sidewalk without causing cracking; it also contains a fault within a
specific section and minimizes the cost of repair if necessary.
Depending on weather conditions concrete may need to be moistened for
the 1st 3 days after it is 1st poured. There
is also a waiting period (that varies with weather conditions)
before heavy objects may be placed or moved across the new
concrete. Concrete generally takes 28 days to reach its maximum
compressive strength.